Solana Beach Question
Jan 6th, 2009, 03:12 AM
#21
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We are looking to go in May 09. Saw the Dave Stubbs ad on line. Then read some reviews of Solana Beach/Tennis Club and Del Mar Beach Club. Reviews slammed these places. There were bunches of them too. Not just one. Are these accurate or overstated by some people who maybe were expecting the 4 Seasons @ Aviara??
Thanks.
Frank
Thanks.
Frank
Jan 6th, 2009, 07:47 AM
#23
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julieh: We chose Solana Beach the first time because of the availability and selection of condos. I really liked that Dave Stubbs site and it was so easy to book a place. We keep going back because we like the location. San Diego is a bit spread out and there isn't really a "boardwalk" area except for someplace like Mission Beach and that's both too expensive for us and too spring-breaky for a family with young kids. The Del Mar Beach is really nice and you can walk there from the Solana Beach, and the beach that's down the cliff from the condos in Solana Beach is good for a quick "beach hit" on a day when you just want to see the water for an hour or less. We like the pelicans that fly by our windows, and I've seen sandpipers (my favorite bird) while eating breakfast and run down to the beach to watch them more closely. You're out of the traffic area of San Diego although you will hit traffic going into the city but the carpool lane helps there. And you're closer to Legoland and Disneyland if you want to fit those in. As far as Del Mar Beach Club etc. being run down, I think some people just like things fancier than we do. Sure, they're not glitzy and new but they are serviceable and well maintained. They were built I think in the 70's and 80's so sure, they're showing their age, but who isn't? ;0)
Jan 6th, 2009, 08:18 AM
#24
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Oh, forgot to pass on another little tip. Become a Lego Brickmaster before you go. It costs 39.99 but includes a free ticket to Legoland (it says child ticket but last time they gave me an adult one so you could get lucky too) and you get six lego kits delivered throughout the year, and the magazine includes a buy-one adult ticket get one child ticket free. So it more than pays for itself to join.
Jan 6th, 2009, 10:24 AM
#25
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julieh,
I'll just tell you what I like about SB.
We picked Solana Beach because I had been to Del Mar/SB with on a trip with a girl friend (her parents winter in SB) and thought it would be perfect for my family. We have gone the past two Septembers and stayed in the same Dave Stubbs Condo. This year my kids are 8 and 6.
We rented an Ocean Front condo. My husband and I could hang out on the balcony after the kids went to bed. We watched the sunset, watched the surfers in the morning, and had some dolphin sightings as well. We had plenty of room for the whole family without feeling like we were confined to a hotel room. The two bedroom condo we rent is the "Standard" quality, so we weren't expecting luxury. The condo was very clean and had the location we loved. The condo didn't have much in the way of beach provisions. A few rusty beach chairs, a small body board and beach toys (these were actually left from us the year before). I didn't expect the beach stuff to be provided but I suspect each condo is different.
My impression of these rentals is that majority are rented by retired person or people in town for race season. I don't think their primary renters are beach families. I'm not sure what the summer is like but September was pretty quiet. My kids were the only kids in the pools every day. Just my impression - so I maybe wrong.
As far as the beach, we liked the fact that we could go down the steps (about 100 - we counted once) for an hour or two of beach time. We'd could do naps, run up to the condo if needed, go for walks in the morning, and play on the beach after a trip to legoland etc.
Del mar beach was a little better as far as fluffy sand and lots of activity, but SB is smaller, but not as many people. The kids built sand castles, ran from the waves, this year they tried the body board, my 8 year old stood up the surf board, my husband surfed, I read books, and we found a lot of good shell, rocks and sand dollars.
We could walk or a very short drive (less than a mile) to a lot of restuarants. Pizza Port was the ours and the kids favorite. We did takeout and ate in. Roberto's was close and good for takeout. We also discovered that Brigantine was great for their happy hour menu. We loved the fish tacos. Great deal. Our favorite breakfast place is the ivy covered cafe in the parking lot down by the park. I could go for that french toast about now! We didn't cook in the condo, but had sandwiches, cereal, milk, snacks etc. There was a little cooler in the condo, so we could carry stuff down to the beach.
The drive to Legoland and Seaworld didn't seem long at all from SB. We also did short excursion to La Jolla to see the seals, Point Loma, and Coronado.
After writing all this, I hope we can go again this fall! We took my parents with us last year for part of the time and they loved it as well.
I didn't care for Mission Beach and the boardwalk area for same reason as Monica. It seemed dirty and more of a party atmosphere. La Jolla is great for a day trip but seemed more expensive. Please let me know if you have any more questions. I also have pictures of the beach in front of the condos and the condo too. Dave Stubb's pictures on their site are pretty accurate.
I'll just tell you what I like about SB.
We picked Solana Beach because I had been to Del Mar/SB with on a trip with a girl friend (her parents winter in SB) and thought it would be perfect for my family. We have gone the past two Septembers and stayed in the same Dave Stubbs Condo. This year my kids are 8 and 6.
We rented an Ocean Front condo. My husband and I could hang out on the balcony after the kids went to bed. We watched the sunset, watched the surfers in the morning, and had some dolphin sightings as well. We had plenty of room for the whole family without feeling like we were confined to a hotel room. The two bedroom condo we rent is the "Standard" quality, so we weren't expecting luxury. The condo was very clean and had the location we loved. The condo didn't have much in the way of beach provisions. A few rusty beach chairs, a small body board and beach toys (these were actually left from us the year before). I didn't expect the beach stuff to be provided but I suspect each condo is different.
My impression of these rentals is that majority are rented by retired person or people in town for race season. I don't think their primary renters are beach families. I'm not sure what the summer is like but September was pretty quiet. My kids were the only kids in the pools every day. Just my impression - so I maybe wrong.
As far as the beach, we liked the fact that we could go down the steps (about 100 - we counted once) for an hour or two of beach time. We'd could do naps, run up to the condo if needed, go for walks in the morning, and play on the beach after a trip to legoland etc.
Del mar beach was a little better as far as fluffy sand and lots of activity, but SB is smaller, but not as many people. The kids built sand castles, ran from the waves, this year they tried the body board, my 8 year old stood up the surf board, my husband surfed, I read books, and we found a lot of good shell, rocks and sand dollars.
We could walk or a very short drive (less than a mile) to a lot of restuarants. Pizza Port was the ours and the kids favorite. We did takeout and ate in. Roberto's was close and good for takeout. We also discovered that Brigantine was great for their happy hour menu. We loved the fish tacos. Great deal. Our favorite breakfast place is the ivy covered cafe in the parking lot down by the park. I could go for that french toast about now! We didn't cook in the condo, but had sandwiches, cereal, milk, snacks etc. There was a little cooler in the condo, so we could carry stuff down to the beach.
The drive to Legoland and Seaworld didn't seem long at all from SB. We also did short excursion to La Jolla to see the seals, Point Loma, and Coronado.
After writing all this, I hope we can go again this fall! We took my parents with us last year for part of the time and they loved it as well.
I didn't care for Mission Beach and the boardwalk area for same reason as Monica. It seemed dirty and more of a party atmosphere. La Jolla is great for a day trip but seemed more expensive. Please let me know if you have any more questions. I also have pictures of the beach in front of the condos and the condo too. Dave Stubb's pictures on their site are pretty accurate.
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augustlily
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Oct 18th, 2003 09:57 AM
